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Belt driven motor noise? My technics is dead silent?

I just received a VPI Traveler turntable and I must admit, the motor noise(while faint) is a little disappointing.

Ive been running Technics tables for years and I'm a little confused by this experience. Trying to understand the argument in favor of belt drive tables? Is belt drive performance just not available at this price point? Can't imagine other affordable tables(Rega, Music Hall ect) are offering different results in this area. My 40+ year old technics by comparison is dead silent. You'd need a stethoscope to hear any noise from this table.  

I realize that this is what's considered an entry level table, however, I figured that motor noise/rumble(or lack there of) was the major benefit of running belt drive? I was looking to get better "audiophile" type performance. Im a little lost here....

Need the opinion/advice of more experienced audiophiles about this issue. 

-Thanks
trevoisier
petg60
1,486 posts
 
Hi,
if your Technics is direct drive or belt driven with dc motor it should have less audible noise coming from the motor compared to a tt driven with an ac motor. Now if you get a 2 or 3 phase ac motor in a heavy casing you minimize further any noise. If you hear the rotating noise only by a stethoscope on the VPI there is nothing wrong with that.

trevoisier OP
7 posts
 
Noise on the VPI motor is audible without pressing my ear to the plinth. Like a faint old movie projector. 
trevoisier OP
7 posts
 
VPI is sending me another motor. Let's see what happens.
petg60
1,486 posts
 
Hi,
check that belt is not rubbing somewhere and check motor pulley for any eccentricity, leave it sometime running for the motor to get its tolerance.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Return it for full refund and buy yourself a brand new Technics SL1200G or GR or something vintage like this, stay with DIRECT DRIVE and stay with Technics brand. If you get used to powerful Technics DD then it will be impossible to live with belt drive.
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